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Former Clinic Owner Suing Ministry Group Over Vandalism

Two years after the only health clinic in the Flathead Valley that provided abortions was violently destroyed, its former owner is suing a local ministry group. 

Susan Cahill’s All Families Health Care clinic was vandalized by Zachary Klundt in March 2014.

In the spring of 2015, Klundt was sentenced to 5 years on felony charges, and ordered to pay Cahill, and other victims more than $600,000 in restitution.

“I’m not going to see a cent of that money ever. I haven’t seen a cent of that money yet,” said Susan Cahill. 

She says a secretary for the county attorney told her she was unlikely to see much of the ordered restitution because Klundt won’t be earning that much money, even when he gets out of prison.

Cahill says Klundt isn’t the only person responsible for the destruction of her business. Cahill alleges Klundt was influenced by family and friends.

By filing a civil suit against Klundt, his parents, and Hope Pregnancy Ministries, which Klundt’s mother worked for, Cahill hopes to make up some of the income lost when she shut her business.

“If I can do anything to help stop this assault on women’s reproductive health and lives, I’m going to. It’s not just about me, although yes, I would like some compensation. I’m not just going to sit down and play dead for people who I feel are criminals.”

Susan Cahill, owner of All Families Healthcare, stands in front of the first building where she opened her practice. Missoula is now the nearest place for women in the Flathead to find abortion services.
Credit Corin Cates-Carney
Susan Cahill, owner of All Families Healthcare, stands in front of the first building where she opened her practice. Missoula is now the nearest place for women in the Flathead to find abortion services.

Zachary Klundt was convicted of three felonies in the vandalism of Cahill’s clinic. Hope Pregnancy Ministry and Klundt’s parents were not charged with any criminal offense.

Hope Pregnancy Ministries released a statement saying quote “the vandalism of All Families Healthcare was deplorable and regrettable, but it has nothing to do with Hope Pregnancy Ministries.”

The statement said Hope Pregnancy Ministries will release another press release at a later date to correct erroneous statements about this issue.

Copyright 2020 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

These photos of a series of text messages were part of the criminal case against Zarchary Klundt. They were provided by the attorney representing Susan Cahill in her civil lawsuit against Klundt, his parents and Hope Pregnancy Ministries.
Courtesy photo /
These photos of a series of text messages were part of the criminal case against Zarchary Klundt. They were provided by the attorney representing Susan Cahill in her civil lawsuit against Klundt, his parents and Hope Pregnancy Ministries.

These photos of a series of text messages were part of the criminal case against Zarchary Klundt. They were provided by the attorney representing Susan Cahill in her civil lawsuit against Klundt, his parents and Hope Pregnancy Ministries.
Courtesy photo /
These photos of a series of text messages were part of the criminal case against Zarchary Klundt. They were provided by the attorney representing Susan Cahill in her civil lawsuit against Klundt, his parents and Hope Pregnancy Ministries.

These photos of a series of text messages were part of the criminal case against Zarchary Klundt. They were provided by the attorney representing Susan Cahill in her civil lawsuit against Klundt, his parents and Hope Pregnancy Ministries.
Courtesy photo /
These photos of a series of text messages were part of the criminal case against Zarchary Klundt. They were provided by the attorney representing Susan Cahill in her civil lawsuit against Klundt, his parents and Hope Pregnancy Ministries.

These photos of a series of text messages were part of the criminal case against Zarchary Klundt. They were provided by the attorney representing Susan Cahill in her civil lawsuit against Klundt, his parents and Hope Pregnancy Ministries.
Courtesy photo /
These photos of a series of text messages were part of the criminal case against Zarchary Klundt. They were provided by the attorney representing Susan Cahill in her civil lawsuit against Klundt, his parents and Hope Pregnancy Ministries.

Corin Cates-Carney is the Flathead Valley reporter for MTPR.